Galaxy A53 - Bluetooth connection issues after Android 13 update

[Gav_hay]

Before the Android 13 update I had had no problems connecting my A53 to Bluetooth devices. However, ever since the update, connecting the phone to my car or to my Samsung ear buds has become very hit and miss. If it won't connect, I have to restart the phone.  I've tried all the troubleshooting suggestions I can find but nothing has worked so far. Has anyone else experienced this issues and does anyone have a solution?

[AsadM]

Hi @Gav_hay, thanks for reaching out regarding your connectivity issue. Let's try forgetting the devices you've connected to your phone by going into Settings > Connections > Bluetooth > Tap the settings toggle next to the devices > Unpair. After you've done this, go through the connection setup and ensure the car system and your Buds are visible to find via Bluetooth. To ensure your Buds are visible, keep the case lid opened during the connection set up. 

[Gav_hay]

Hi Asad, thanks for the reply. I've tried that with the connections to the Samsung ear buds and my car but to no avail. After I unpair the devices, the phone can 'see' both devices and I can re-pair them. However, the phone won't reconnect without being rebooted which is a real pain. 

[Badger42]

Have you tried resetting the connections through settings, general management, reset? Please note this will reset Bluetooth as well as WiFi and Mobile. I have the A53 on A13 with no issues connecting to my jlab wireless buds or my Bluetooth in the car after A13 update, so hope you manage to get this sorted.

[Gav_hay]

Hi Badger, thanks for the suggestion. Yes, I have tried that but the issue comes back unfortunately. About the only things I haven't tried are clearing the Bluetooth cache (because the option is greyed out) and a full factory reset. 

[Badger42]

Have you tried to clear the data instead of the cache?

[Gav_hay]

Hi again Badger, the clear data option is greyed out as well.

[Badger42]

Sorry, I didn't try it before I sent the screenshot. The only other thing I can think of to try is to wipe the cache partition which sometimes helps after updates if something is corrupted rather than doing a full factory reset

[Gav_hay]

I've tried that and I've run the app optimisation option from the boot menu. Neither solved the issue, unfortunately. Thanks for the suggestions though.

[Badger42]

You may need to arrange for Samsung service to look at it or hope that the December Patch when it arrives helps sort it.